How Joe Issa Makes Jamaica Look like Oil Country

Before Joe Issa there was Shell, Esso and Texaco �" all multinationals; and although they became household manes by virtue of the length of time they have been in the Caribbean, Jamaicans have never felt a sense of ownership of oil until Issa founded Cool Oasis, and later, Cool Chemicals and Cool Petroleum.

Cool Oasis was Issa’s first business, and when he launched the gas station along the highway in St. Ann’s Bay the support was awe struck. With bold, new wave colours, services never before envisioned, and giveaways to make you want to come back, Cool Oasis made customers feel they owned it. 

 With its vast manicured landscape not found at any other gas station, Cool oasis shows off its entertainment face on weekends with DJ music and live shows while customers fill up, shop in its air conditioned supermarket and then relax a little before setting off again.

 

In addition to setting the standards for all other gas stations to follow, Cool Oasis, being a local company incorporating the well known cool attribute of Jamaicans, has captured their imagination of an underdog trying to take Jamaica to the world and in the process make them feel as if Jamaica has its own oil should anything go wrong with the traditional suppliers.

 

Issa is said to have made Jamaicans more assured when Cool Chemicals (formerly Shell Chemicals) was formed. Today, “it is the largest supplier of raw materials in Jamaica, serving industries such as paint and coatings, thinner, foam, packaging, adhesives, automotive, brake fluid, coolant, caradol, solvents and more,” its website says.

 

It adds, “Cool Chemicals is the only bulk chemical storage facility in Jamaica, which is why we’re the supply hub for the entire Caribbean market. Our knowledge, reputation, and relationship with the DEA make us the market leader, and a major part of the most diversified oil company in Jamaica.”

 

Joe Issa made Jamaica look like a real oil country when the name Shell gave way to Cool Petroleum, which operates the Shell gas stations and oil distributorship in Jamaica, following their purchase by Issa. Each Shell station offers high quality fuel, oil and lubricants at the best prices.

 

With the Shell acquisitions, Cool Petroleum is now the largest fuel retailer in Jamaica, with over 90 locations (including Cool Oasis) across the country.

 

Cool Petroleum is also the exclusive distributor of Shell bulk fuels, Shell chemicals and Shell lubricants on the island. It markets to companies that benefit from purchasing fuel, lubricants and raw materials (chemicals) in bulk for commercial fleets or heavy machinery.